Frequently Asked Questions

Yes — we supply CUTEK Extreme CD50, a high-performance oil-based wood stabiliser designed to protect and enhance timber while allowing it to age naturally.

CUTEK® penetrates deeply into the timber, enhancing the natural grain and texture while providing long-lasting protection. Unlike many film-forming coatings, it won’t peel or flake, and maintenance is simple without the need for sanding or stripping.

Manufactured for New Zealand conditions, CUTEK® works by controlling moisture movement within the timber, helping to reduce:

• Warping
• Cupping
• Splitting

It can be applied as a clear oil to allow timber to naturally silver over time, or tinted if a coloured finish is preferred.

Class 1 hardwood refers to timber with the highest natural durability rating available. It means the timber has exceptional resistance to:

• Decay
• Rot
• Insect attack
• Harsh environmental conditions

Many Australian hardwood species supplied by Renovo Timbers fall into this category. These timbers were originally chosen for demanding applications such as bridges, wharves, and heavy infrastructure because of their strength and long service life.

In practical terms, Class 1 hardwood is ideal for:

• Structural applications
• External use
• Ground contact
• Pergolas and exposed beams
• Long-term outdoor projects

Many recycled bridge timbers and large power poles were originally graded to high structural standards such as F27 before entering service. In many cases, they exceed the requirements for structures such as pergolas, feature posts, and light-load applications.

However, recycled timber does not automatically retain a current certified structural rating for modern compliance purposes.

If a formal structural grading certificate is required for your project, the timber will need to be re-graded at an additional cost.

For projects requiring certified structural timber, we can also supply sustainably sourced new Australian hardwoods with structural grades such as F27.

Rustic hardwood posts & beams

Our Oamaru yard holds one of the largest on-site selections of recycled hardwood posts and beams in New Zealand, available for prompt supply in their raw state.

Additional processing such as:

• Milling
• Wire brushing
• Sandblasting

can usually be completed promptly, depending on current demand.

Decking, lining boards, cladding & processed timber

We carry stock of many processed timber products. However, for larger projects we recommend pre-ordering at least 3 months in advance to secure the required quantities.

Bespoke projects

For custom projects including trusses, joinery, and custom processing, lead times vary depending on complexity and production requirements.

As a general guide, allow approximately 3 months from design confirmation.

For the most accurate timeframe, we recommend getting in touch early in the planning stage.

Our process starts with a conversation. We take the time to understand your project, plans, dimensions, and how the timber will be used. This allows us to recommend the most suitable recycled hardwood based on character, grain, size, and performance requirements.

From there, we work alongside you, your builder, architect, or designer to develop the concept and confirm details such as:

• Timber selection
• Sizes and spans
• Finishes
• Construction approach

Once the scope is confirmed, we provide an approximate cost estimate so the design direction, material selection, and budget can be aligned before moving forward.

If the concept is approved, we issue a formal quotation including a detailed scope of work and a 50% deposit invoice.

After the deposit is received:

• Timber is allocated
• Production is scheduled
• An estimated completion timeframe is confirmed

For custom furniture and joinery projects, final production drawings are provided for approval prior to fabrication commencing.

We carry a good range of recycled hardwood posts and beams in various sizes and lengths.

Lengths up to approximately 5 metres are the most commonly available. Longer lengths between 7–10 metres are available, although stock is more limited.

If your project requires longer structural members, we recommend contacting us early so we can advise current availability.

Yes — we welcome visits to our yard.

Viewing timber in person is the best way to appreciate its scale, texture, colour variation, and character.

You can find us at:

14A Regina Lane, Oamaru, Otago

We hold a large on-site selection of recycled hardwood:

• Posts and beams
• Wall linings
• Cladding
• Decking
• Custom-milled timber

We recommend getting in touch before visiting so we can ensure the right timber is available and our team is ready to assist with your project.

Recycled Australian hardwoods are exceptionally strong, dense, and durable, making them ideal for both structural and decorative applications.

Compared with many softwoods such as pine or cedar, hardwood is generally:

• More resistant to dents and wear
• Less prone to warping and movement
• Better suited to exposed environments
• Longer lasting in structural applications

One of the biggest advantages is reduced maintenance. Recycled hardwood naturally withstands weathering, pests, and heavy use, meaning it typically requires less ongoing maintenance and replacement over time.

For many projects, recycled hardwood offers a long-term, low-maintenance solution with unique character and proven durability.

Our hardwood is genuinely recycled from decommissioned infrastructure across New Zealand and Australia, including:

• Bridges
• Wharves
• Railways
• Power poles
• Industrial buildings and warehouses

These structures were originally built using some of the most durable Australian hardwood species available.

With years of experience sourcing timber nationwide, Renovo Timbers is proud to offer one of the largest on-site selections of recycled hardwood beams in New Zealand.

By repurposing recycled hardwood, we help reduce waste and minimise the demand for new harvesting, while preserving the strength, history, and character of these time-honoured timbers.

Most of our timber stock consists of recycled Australian hardwoods. From time to time, we also source materials such as American Oak sleepers and reclaimed oak barn wood.

Australian hardwoods are an exceptional resource — naturally dense, incredibly durable, and rich in colour and grain variation. Their outstanding structural properties made them widely used throughout New Zealand and Australia in bridges, wharves, factories, buildings, and heavy infrastructure from the 1800s through to the 1960s, and they are still used in some applications today.

As a natural product, every piece of timber is unique. Recycled timber may contain characteristics from its former life, including:

• Nail or bolt holes
• Minor worm holes
• Wane
• Surface checking
• Cracking or end splits

These features form part of the authentic character and aesthetic of recycled hardwood. Surface checking or cracking does not necessarily affect the structural integrity of the timber — it is a natural characteristic commonly found in reclaimed hardwood beams and posts.

We clearly state whether our timber is either 100% genuine recycled timber or sustainably sourced new timber. There is no grey area.

Most of our stock is recycled Australian hardwood sourced from decommissioned structures throughout New Zealand and Australia, including old wharves, bridges, buildings, and power poles — many over 100 years old.

We also import recycled timber directly from Australia, where larger quantities of old-growth hardwood are available from building and infrastructure demolition projects.

In some applications, we also supply sustainably sourced new hardwood products, including cladding, posts, and beams. When new timber is supplied, it is always clearly identified as new — we do not market new timber as “reclaimed” simply because its purpose has changed.